Gold standard diagnostic criteria for diagnosing acute infection in older adult patients in the Emergency Department do not currently exist. These patients often have atypical presentations which can complicate diagnosis and treatment. The development of an antimicrobial stewardship program for Emergency Department older adult patients can ultimately improve the accuracy of diagnosis and correct antimicrobial prescribing. This research study involves data collection from enrolled subjects and treating physicians. The data will be collected using a patient interview which will be answered directly by the patient or caregiver. Additional surveys will be administered to the Emergency Department treating physician and subsequent physician. Additional data will be abstracted from the Emergency Department chart and from additional charts that often accompanies the patient to the Emergency Department. A physician adjudication process will occur if there is disagreement in diagnosis between the treating Emergency Department physician and succeeding physician.

Presence of infection while in the Emergency Department [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 days. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Adults 65 years of age and older who present to the Emergency Department.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

65 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

Patient incarcerated

Chief complaint of suicidal or homicidal ideation

Patient primarily evaluated by the trauma team

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01746888